Euro Voices - BosniaScot Bower - 2 Apr 2010
We're reaching the end of our first week of non-stop prayer for Europe, that's 1 down and at least 25 to go! To encourage and focus our prayers each Friday we will profile a country listen to their prayers and hopefully catch a glimpse of their story. By the end of our 6 month season we should have a patchwork of euro-voices that have helped us engage with and understand a little more of this vibrant diverse continent.
This week we hear from a missionary (who needs to remain anonymous) who lives and works in Bosnia. They got in touch with 24-7 Prayer last year after reading Punk Monk and when we met it quickly became apparent that their passion for prayer, people and community was very much in tune with our vision and values. We look forward to seeing how this relationship develops over the coming years. They write:
I have prayed many times for people around the world to encounter Christ in dreams and visions. I believe in these prayers. I have seen and heard evidence to support their existence. But when I received a vision my first night on Bosnian soil, I questioned not only my sanity, but the expiration date on my cold medication. If I were not convinced that there is no way this massive vision came from tiny, human me, I would be checking myself into the asylum as we speak.
To fully understand this vision, you must first envision Bosnia. The people here go by three separate names—Serb, Croat, Muslim—but they are all ethnically Slavic. They are separated into groups by conquering empire: Ottoman, Byzantine, Roman or Austro-Hungarian (to name a few). Today the influences and religions left by each empire melt together to create one big casserole of culture, so much so that you could say "that building looks Turkish" or "this one looks Austrian", and they would correct you both times: “No. It's Bosnian.”
Bosnians have been divided by religion and tradition, it is their differences that have kept them separated, and often at war, for centuries. But, Jesus. Jesus is what they all have in common. If they would but come to truly know him, they could finally come together under one banner, one white-hot flame. Such a flame would be unlike any the world has seen before. It would be a banner of reconciliation, forgiveness and unity under Christ. It would be an unstoppable, unquenchable head-turning flame. And they will ignite it. They will call it their own—truly Bosnian—like nothing else throughout their entire history. Like the Olympic torch being passed, we will bring the match. But they will be the ones to light the fire.
We need an army of people praying ceaselessly that this nation would be added to the Book of Life. Their hymns will resound off the mountains if we would but ask. God is ready for these people. He is impatient to have them. I have seen every knee in Bosnia bow at the name of Christ. This is my vision.
Please join with us in praying for Bosnia today. Pray for 'reconciliation, forgiveness and unity under Christ'. Pray for the Kingdom of Christ to come in that Balkan melting pot and for many to come to know Jesus.
Feel free to leave your prayer for Bosnia in the comments box below and we'll be sure to pass them on.
To join with Christians all over the world in praying for the prodigal continent of Europe visit our new website 24-7prayer.eu where you can sign up to pray, for weekly newsletters and prayer resources.
You might also like to read Ian Nicholsons article Restoring the Romance or watch our excellent European Prayer video.
Previous posts in the series:
Week 1 - Albania